Rotary printing machine

ABSTRACT

A plurality of printing units are arranged one above the other, each including the plate cylinder, inking mechanism, and the blanket or transfer cylinder. The units are mounted in a stand structurally separated from the main frame of the machine while the associated impression cylinders are mounted in the main frame. The stand is shiftable on a bed frame with respect to the main frame so that, in printing position, the stand is assembled with the main frame and the blanket cylinder of each printing unit can cooperate with the associated impression cylinder. The stand can be shifted on the bed frame away from the main frame to provide an interspace for an operator to have direct access to the impression cylinders, especially for introducing the web. The synchronized drive of the printing units during this operation is provided by long driving shafts preferably provided with singletooth clutches and following the shifting movement of the stand as well as of the printing units which, in addition, are partly withdrawable from the stand. The construction permits a very rapid adjustment of the press and an easy checking of all of the mechanisms while at the same time assuring continuous running of the cylinders in an accurate positional synchronism.

" United States Patent Staamann [45] J l 1, 1975 ROTARY PRINTING MACHINEPrimary E.raminerJ. Reed Fisher [75] Inventor: Ono smamann BerlinGermany Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McGlew and Tuttle [73] Assignee: FirmaAutomatic Druckmaschinenfabrik, Germany ABSTRACT [22] Fi1 d; J 25, 1973A plurality of printing units are arranged one above the other, eachincluding the plate cylinder, inking mechanism, and the blanket ortransfer cylinder. The units are mounted in a stand structurallyseparated from the main frame of the machine while the associ- [30]Foreign Application Priority Data i J I 8. 1972 G 2234089 atedimpression cylmders are mounted in the main u y ermdny frame. The standis shiftable on a bed frame with re- H 1 I l 1; I0] 182 spect to themain frame so that, in printing position, 3 2, 13/26 the stand ISassembled with the main frame and the [58] Field of Search U 101/178179482 blanket cylinder of each printing unit can cooperate theassociated impression cylinder. The stand can be shifted on the bedframe away from the main frame [56] Rderences Cied to provide aninterspace for an operator to have direct access to the impressioncylinders. especially for intro- UNITED STATES PATENTS ducing the web.The synchronized drive of the printl.732,2l /1929 Barber 101/178 i unitsduring i Operation i provided by kmg 8 833 g g driving shafts preferablyprovided with single-tooth 5 211948 il i; 101/180 clutches and followingthe shifting movement of the 5; ["949 Crafts Oi/] stand as well as ofthe printing units which. in addi- Z I919 1 H1957 gji X tion, are partlywithdrawable from the stand. The con- 2366.408 12/1958 Sevenson" 101/132)4 struction permits a very rapid adjustment of the press 2,893,3107/1959 Johnson .4 101/182 and an easy checking of all of the mechanismswhile at 2965,0221 12/1960 Boule et alum 101/352 the same time assuringcontinuous running of the cyl- 298 9 6/196 a rd a. 8 X inders in anaccurate positional synchronism. 3.095.810 7/1963 Harris 101/351 6Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 5 if 8 6 4a 7 l .E .1 8 8 l I Z2 24 9 f H l 2/L 1 a 1 J! ii 37- if I l 30 o .l

a r' I U I *1 3i) 20 3 I9 79/ 19b WTEP'TFF JUL 1 SHEET ROTARY PRINTINGMACHINE FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates torotary printing presses and, more particularly, to a rotary printingpress in which the printing units are mounted in a stand for movementtoward and away from the impression cylinders to provide a man-sizespace for access to the impression cylinders.

In the known rotary printing machines, the printing units and theimpression cylinders are kept in a constant axis-to-axis distance whichcan be a little enlarged only while introducing the web of paper andmust then again be adjusted to the narrow gap necessary for driving theweb. For introducing the web into the machine, the web must be passedconsecutively through all of the narrow gaps provided between theblanket and the impression cylinders. To this end, the forward edge ofthe web is introduced into the first printing unit and the press is thenrepeatedly started, for a moment, until the web is passed through allunits and appears at the upper end of the row. This setting process isdifficult and time-consuming. To set up the machine, it is, in addition,necessary to mount the printing plate on the plate cylinder and theblanket on the transfer cylinder. Up to now, this is possible only whilethe web is not yet introduced between the cylinders of the printingunit.

In consequence, there is a need to facilitate and accelerate theadjusting of the rotary press without affecting the accuracy of thepositional synchronism between the printing units and the impressioncylinders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thereis provided an improved construction of a rotary press in which thesupporting structure of the printing units is designed as a separateassembly or stand mounted on slideways which are provided on a bed frameof the machine so that the supporting structure or stand may be shifted,along with the printing units, away from the main frame of the machine,and thereby from the impression cylinders mounted thereon, to produce amansized interspace between the stand and the main frame. Moreover, theprinting units can be individually withdrawn from the stand and drivenboth in their withdrawn position and in the shifted-away position of thestand. To assure continuous synchronized driving of the severalcylinders of each printing unit, splined driving shafts are provided foreach printing unit and have a length such as to maintain each printingunit in driving connection with its associated impression cylinderduring shifting of the stand away from the impression cylinders and alsoduring withdrawing or partial withdrawing of a printing unit from thestand.

In case the stand of the printing units is shifted away from the mainframe of the machine, the blanket cylinder and the associated impressioncylinder of each printing unit are separated from each other. The introduction of the web is thereby extremely facilitated. It is necessaryonly to pass the web over all of the impression cylinders. The hithertonarrow gap is enlarged to a wide man-size interspace providing accessfor the operator who can now easily position the web and at the sametime check and perhaps adjust the printing units. Another advantage isthat all of the printing units may be kept running in their accuratepositional synchronism as before, the motion being derived from the maindriving mechanism of the rotary press. In maintaining this synchronousrunning of the printing units, the mutual position of the plate and theblanket cylinder, as well as the position of these cylinders relative tothe impression cylinders which, as it is well known, are coupled withthe other operative units of the rotary press, remains unchanged.

Another advantage of the invention is the possibility of partlywithdrawing each printing unit from the stand without interfering withthe synchronism of the cylinders. Consequently, even in the assembledstate of the stand with the main frame of the machine, while therespective printing unit is withdrawn, the blanket cylinder of thewithdrawn printing unit is separated from the associated impressioncylinder and this printing unit does not participate in the printingprocess. The work may then be continued, for example, with only threeprinting units instead of four, and the withdrawn unit may at any timebe reintroduced into its working position. Many printing variations arethereby possible without requiring any setting up.

The considerably adjusting time once necessary for the introduction of aweb into a press comprising several printing units is reduced to someminutes. In addition, troubles caused, for example, by a rupture of theweb can be remedied far more easily and rapidly.

The advantages obtained by the new construction are highly appreciatedby the printers in practical operation.

According to another development of the invention, each printing unit isconnected to the main drive by a driving shaft provided with asingle-tooth clutch which, for example, is actuated electromagnetically.Such electromagnetic single-tooth clutch clutches are well known. Theprovision of these clutches has the advantage that, in the shifted awayposition of the stand, the printing cylinders may be left running orstopped, just as required. In the latter case, one may proceed to thecleaning of the units without having to remove the same off the stand.The synchronism and accurate positioning of the printing cylinders andthe impression cylinders is maintained and insured by the single-toothclutches. The engagement and disengagement of the clutches is controlledby electrical switching circuits. After each disengagement, thusstopping a printing unit, the reengagement is effected in the accuratesynchronous position. This also is an extraordinary simplification ofthe adjustment of the press.

It is useful to mount the stand for the printing units on anti-frictionelements, such as balls, movable along prismatic cross sectionlongitudinal races on the bed frame and on the stand, and to provide ahydraulic actuator, of the cylinder-piston type, to move the standtoward and away from the main frame of the machine. The stand, which hasa considerable weight of several tons, is thereby made easily movable.Moreover, its guidance is exact, so that even a relatively largeprovided displacement, amounting to 600 mm and more, does not effect theprecision work of the printing units.

The same advantage is attained when the individual printing units arealso mounted on balls movable along prismatic cross section longitudinalraces in the stand openings and on the frame of the individual printingunit.

The movement of the stand along with the printing units is controlled bymeans of pushbutton or the like. By actuating a pushbutton provided onthe main frame of the machine, the stand is shifted-away. However, itsreturn into the assembled position cannot be achieved by actuating asingle button. Such a provision could be dangerous for the operatorwhich has entered into the interspace. For this reason, two pushbuttonsare provided for moving the stand back into its initial position and arelocated at a distance from each other, preferably one on the main frameand one on the stand, and both must be actuated simultaneously.

The high mobility both of the stand relative to the main frame and ofthe printing units within the stand requires particular measures forsecuring their opera tive, i.e. printing positions. To this purpose,hydraulic locking devices are provided for holding the stand and themain frame tightly assembled, and may be actuated by pushbuttons locatedon the main frame. Analogous hydraulic locking means are providedbetween the printing units and the stand, separately for each unit andseparately actuated by pushbuttons. Both locking systems operatepreferably on the pull-in principle so that, in the locked positions,the stand is pressed tightly against the main frame and the printingunits are pressed tightly against the back of the stand openings.

It is useful to provide stops on the end portion of the stand openingswhich receive the printing units, preventing the units from beingcompletely withdrawn.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary printingpress wherein printing units, each including a plate cylinder, an inkingmechanism and a blanket of transfer cylinder are mounted one above theother in a separate supporting structure or stand which can be shiftedhorizontally toward and away from the main frame of the machine mountingthe respective impression cylinders for the printing units, so thatthere is provided, when the stand is retracted from the main frame, aman-size interspace providing access for an operator to the impressioncylinders and to the printing units.

Another object of the invention is to provide elongated splined drivingshafts continuously connecting each printing unit to the main drive andto its associated impression cylinder even when the stand is retractedfrom the main frame and also when a printing unit is partially withdrawnfrom the stand.

A further object of the invention is to provide respective single-toothclutches coupling each printing unit to its drive shaft and providing,when engaged, an accurate positional synchronism between the printingunit and its associated impression cylinder.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printingpress in which the stand is supported on ball bearings movable alonglongitudinally extending races.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printingpress in which each printing unit is mounted, in the stand, on ballbearings movable along longitudinally extending races.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printingpress including hydraulic actuators for shifting the stand relative tothe main frame of the press.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printingpress in which the hydraulic actuators are controlled by push bottonsand in which simultaneous actuation of two push buttons, one of the mainframe and one on the stand. is necessary to move the stand intoengagement with the main frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printingpress including hydraulic locking devices for locking the stand to themain frame and for locking each printing unit in operative position inthe stand.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference ismade to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. I is a partial elevational view of a rotary printing pressembodying the invention, the stand with the printing units being inprinting position;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, as in FIG. I, with the stand being in ashifted-away position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, taken along the line IIIIII ofFIG. 2',

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV ofFIG. 1-,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along the lineV-V of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a detail showing the locking device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. I and 2 ofthe drawings, an im proved rotary offset printing press or machine,embodying the invention, comprises a main frame I supported by a bedframe 2 which is extended in the direction of a supporting structure orstand 3 for the printing units 7. The bed frame 2 as well as the stand 3are provided with longitudinal rails 4 having prismatic race grooves ortracks in which balls 5, supporting stand 3, are retained and permit aneasy shifting of the stand 3. Instead of balls, there may be providedrollers retained in corresponding tracks.

The printing units 7 are received in openings 6 of stand 3 and each unitcomprises a frame I0 (FIG. 3), a plate cylinder 8, an offset or blanketcylinder 9, and a non represented inking mechanism. The frame I0 of theprinting unit 7 supports bearings 11 for the cylinder journals I2 and isguided in the opening 6 of the stand 3 in a manner analogous to theguiding of stand 3 on the bed frame 2, that is, by means of longitudinalrails 4a having prismatic grooves for balls 5.

The respective impression cylinders 13 associated with each of theprinting units 7, or particularly the respective blanket cylinders 9,are mounted on main frame 1 of the machine and operativelyinterconnected with each other by gears I4. Gears I4 form a train whichis driven by a main driving motor 16 through an intermediate gear 15.Impression cylinders 13 are located one above the other at levelscorresponding to those of the associated blanket cylinders 9. The web ofpaper I7 advances, in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1,between the blanket cylinders and the associated impression cylinders.The impression takes place successively in different colors transferredby the printing units.

Stand 3 with printing units 7 can be shifted on the ball tracks 4 awayfrom main frame I of the machine so as to produce a man-size interspacel8 therebetween (FIG. 2). The motion is effected by means of a hydraulicactuator I9 having a cylinder 190 secured to the bed frame 2 and apiston rod 19b secured to a cross-beam 20 of stand 3.

Printing units 7 are driven by means of respective splined shafts 21commonly driven by main driving motor 16 and axially fixed in respectivebearings 22 provided in transmission housings 23 of the associatedprinting units 7. The shafts are driven by motor 16 through intermediategear 15 and respective meshing bevel gear sets 26. The shafts drive therespective blanket cylinders 8 and plate cylinders 9 through respectivemeshing bevel gear sets 25 to which the shafts are coupled by respectivesingle-tooth clutches 24 which may be actuated electromagnetically. Eachsplined shaft 21 is longitudinally displaceable through an internallysplined axial recess in the associated bevel gear 26, and the shaftshave a length such that they are not disengaged from the associatedbevel gears 26 even in the maximum retracted position in which stand 3is retracted from main frame 1 and a printing unit 7 is at leastpartially withdrawn from stand 3. Thus, printing units 7 are operativelyconnected to the main drive under all circumstances, as may be seenclearly in com paring FIGS. 1 and 2, with FIG. 1 showing stand 3 in itsprinting position and FIG. 2 showing stand 3 in its retracted positionwith one printing unit 7 partly withdrawn from its opening 6 in stand 7.Such withdrawal is effective manually. Furthermore, by comparing FIGS. land 2, it will be noted that the shafts 21 are at their maximum lefthand position in FIG. I and, in FIG. 2, the uppermost shaft 2i is at itsmaximum right hand position with the other three shafts 21 being neartheir maximum right hand position.

The locking between printing units 7 and stand 3 is represented, as anexample, in FIG. 6. A hydraulic locking device 27 comprises a hookedcatch 28 pivotable about a pin 29 and having the form of a two-armlever. The two catches of a printing unit facing each other are moved inopposite directions by means of piston rods 32, 33 and pistons 31 whichare enclosed in a common cylinder 30. In the represented lockingposition, hooked catches 28 mounted on stand 3 embrace bolts 34 providedon printing units 7 and urge the units 7 against the bottom or left endof the stand opening 6. In the unlocked position, catches 28 aredisengaged from bolts 34. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the locking devices 27 arerepresented schematically.

An analogous locking is provided between stand 3 and main frame I of themachine, and also is represented schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, withthe same reference number.

The locking devices, both between stand 3 and main frame I and betweenprinting units 7 and stand 3, are actuated by magnetic control valveswhich are not represented. To this end, pushbuttons 35 are provided,associated to each printing unit 7. The locking between stand 3 and mainframe 1 is actuated by means of pushbuttons 36 provided on the mainframe.

To control the shifting of stand 3 which is effected by the hydrauliccylinder mechanism l9, three further pushbuttons 37, 38, 39 areprovided, the first two being located on the main frame 1 and button 39on the stand 3. The shifting away of stand 3 is controlled by means ofbutton 37. For the reverse movement of the stand into its printingposition, two pushbuttons, that is buttons 38 and 39. must be actuatedsimultaneously, the one being provided on the main frame and the otheron the stand.

In order to prevent a complete withdrawal of the printing units from thestand 3, stops 40 are provided on the right hand end portions of theopenings 6. (FIG. 2).

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. In an offset rotary printing machine, for printing a continuous web,including a bed frame and a main frame, and having printing units, eachincluding a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder and an inking mechanism,with the printing units being arranged one above the other in a printingunit support stand and respective impression cylinders associated withthe blanket cylinders and mounted one above the other in the main frameof the machine, each at the level of the associated blanket cylinder,and with the printing units and the impression cylinders all driven froma main drive: the improvement comprising, in combination, guide railsmounting said stand on said bed frame for shifting, with said printingunits, away from said impression cylinders to provide a man-size spacebetween said printing units and said impression cylinders for readyaccess of an operator thereto; means operable to shift said stand alongsaid guides; a respective drive shaft connecting each printing unit tothe associated impression cylinder, each drive shaft being splined andmounted on the associated printing unit against axial displacementrelative thereto; a respective single tooth clutch drivingly connectingeach drive shaft to the associated printing unit; each splined driveshaft being slidably engaged through a respective splined gear membermounted on said main frame and driven by said main drive; each printingunit being displaceable, on said support stand, to an inoperativeposition; and respective back stops limiting displacement of eachprinting unit on said support stand; each drive shaft, when said supportstand is shifted to provide such man-size space and the associatedprinting unit is further displaced into engagement with the respectiveback stop, remaining drivingly connected to the associated splined gearmember on said main frame.

2. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, inwhich said shifting means comprises a hydraulic actuator connectedbetween said bed frame and said stand; said guides comprising elongatedraces of prismatic cross section on said bed frame and on said stand,and anti-friction bearings engaged in said races.

3. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim I, inwhich said stand has respective openings mounting said printing units;and respective sets of elongated races on said stand and said printingunits at each opening and having anti-friction bearings engaged therein,constituting guides for displacement of each printing unit relative tosaid stand.

4. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1,including controls for said shifting means; said controls including afirst pushbotton on said main frame operable to activate said shiftingmeans to shift said stand away from said main frame; said controlsfurther including a pair of second pushbuttons, one on said main frameand the other on said stand; said second pushbuttons, when operatedsimul- 6. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim1, including respective hydraulic locking devices operable to lock eachprinting unit to said frame; and respective control pushbuttons on saidstand in operative association with each printing unit and operable toactuate said hydraulic locking devices. F l Il

1. In an offset rotary printing machine, for printing a continuous web, including a bed frame and a main frame, and having printing units, each including a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder and an inking mechanism, with the printing units being arranged one above the other in a printing unit support stand and respective impression cylinders associated with the blanket cylinders and mounted one above the other in the main frame of the machine, each at the level of the associated blanket cylinder, and with the printing units and the impression cylindeRs all driven from a main drive: the improvement comprising, in combination, guide rails mounting said stand on said bed frame for shifting, with said printing units, away from said impression cylinders to provide a man-size space between said printing units and said impression cylinders for ready access of an operator thereto; means operable to shift said stand along said guides; a respective drive shaft connecting each printing unit to the associated impression cylinder, each drive shaft being splined and mounted on the associated printing unit against axial displacement relative thereto; a respective single tooth clutch drivingly connecting each drive shaft to the associated printing unit; each splined drive shaft being slidably engaged through a respective splined gear member mounted on said main frame and driven by said main drive; each printing unit being displaceable, on said support stand, to an inoperative position; and respective back stops limiting displacement of each printing unit on said support stand; each drive shaft, when said support stand is shifted to provide such man-size space and the associated printing unit is further displaced into engagement with the respective back stop, remaining drivingly connected to the associated splined gear member on said main frame.
 2. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said shifting means comprises a hydraulic actuator connected between said bed frame and said stand; said guides comprising elongated races of prismatic cross section on said bed frame and on said stand, and anti-friction bearings engaged in said races.
 3. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said stand has respective openings mounting said printing units; and respective sets of elongated races on said stand and said printing units at each opening and having anti-friction bearings engaged therein, constituting guides for displacement of each printing unit relative to said stand.
 4. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, including controls for said shifting means; said controls including a first pushbotton on said main frame operable to activate said shifting means to shift said stand away from said main frame; said controls further including a pair of second pushbuttons, one on said main frame and the other on said stand; said second pushbuttons, when operated simultaneously, activating said shifting means to shift said stand into engagement with said main frame.
 5. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, including hydraulically actuated locking devices operable to lock said stand to said main frame; and a control pushbutton on said main frame operable to activate said locking devices.
 6. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, including respective hydraulic locking devices operable to lock each printing unit to said frame; and respective control pushbuttons on said stand in operative association with each printing unit and operable to actuate said hydraulic locking devices. 